The new Rottefella XPLORE OFFTRACK Binding system

[Johnny]

UPDATE: Please see the latest complete review right here:
http://telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&p=40604

Once named the "Rottefella Backcountry System" in the 2019 catalog, sometimes called The Rottefella Explore or Explorer binding by manufacturers, here is the official XPLORE binding.

Available for the 21/22 season. No official weight yet, but the pre-production prototype is apparently 530g a pair. The concept here is to have one single pair of boots for every type of activity (And therefore justifying the price tag of the boots...) Not exactly a new concept, but the XPLORE is supposed to offer the very best for every different use you can make of it. Yes, at last! A 2-pin system designed especially for XCD!

Now the most important question is... What do YOU think? The next big thing or the next Skyhoy? According to the emails I exchanged with Norway, I can sense that the people involved in beta-testing the XPLORE are SUPER excited about this... And so am I! Just wait until you see the boots now!

From the Scandinavian Outdoor Award website:

Design: Xplore binding: Øyvar Svendsen
Product material: Binding: TPR/Rubber
Product weight: Binding 530 g/pair

PRIMARY INNOVATION FEATURES
The Xplore system redefines ski touring, increases the pleasure of skiing and opens possibilities for new adventures. The binding and the flex point in the sole let you ski naturally and efficiently, so you can cover longer distances, climb with less effort and improves the grip. The stability in the system improves the ski handling and makes you a better skier. The stability of the binding and the boots will make it possible to drive even demanding downhill runs. Step in and out of the binding with ease and an outsole designed for walking in winter terrain.

INTENDED SPECIFIC END USE
Backcountry skiing with greater stability than normal BC equipment for more varied experiences. The Xplore system is intended for a wide range of uses, from day trips in forests and fields to multi-day trips in the high mountains.

SUSTAINABILITY INFORMATION
Paramount criteria for the Xplore products, and all of the Rottefella products, are functionality as well as lasting quality that you can rely will last for many years. At the same time it should be inspiring and look innovative.

Price: 265$ USD

[fisheater]

Hopefully Rotte can find a couple NA Beta testers. Hopefully some Beta testers that will be recognized on these pages.

[lilcliffy]

WHOOOOA!!!!!

This gives me a much better picture of this Johnny- thank you!
Wow.
Very cool.

[Åsnes1922]

Hi guys!

Nice to see that you're interested in the new Rottefella binding. It gets a lot of attention pretty much everywhere, and it is an interesting development. I won't disclose too much as of yet, but I can say that we're excited about this binding here at Åsnes. We will also tune (re-amp) models that are perfect and develop some new models, specifically designed to function really well with this system, but that can also be used with 75mm/BC bindings.

A thing we're really excited about is the fact that we will soon have a binding that can utilize the full potential of or wider skis, especially the Falketind 62, the Rabb 68, and the Nosi 76. This is probably some of the most exciting developments for telemark and Nordic BC in a long time.

I'm currently doing tests of this binding, and I just received a good collection of boots. We've had the binding for quite some time, and we have been really involved with both Rottefella and ALFA - the drivers of this concept. Alpina will also send us some boots very soon. So far, we're stoked about it.

We have carved and charged pretty hard with the lighter boots and the binding on the Falketind 62 ski. Its torsional rigidity is so far very impressive, meaning you can do parallel turns as well as carve out proper tele-turns, even on groomers and hardpack. The toe-pice and the springloaded pins seem to be BOMBER so far and the weight of the binding is low. The development Rottefella's plan for add-ons will also be intriguing, but I can't tell too much about that as of yet. In short, the binding, replaceable parts, intended customizations, and collection of boots allow for a lot of possibilities and options - probably making it suitable for different skiing styles and optimizations for various use.

If this system can survive a full season with me and some of the other testers using it now, I'm more than confident it will be more than good enough for almost everyone.

I just talked to Aleksander Gamme after he tested it for a while, and he is really positive!

Stay tuned!

[Leo Tasker]

Excited to check these out when the hit the stores, especially seeing that the bindings are adaptable for different types of skiing.

@Åsnes1922, I guess you are sworn to secrecy at the moment, but are you able to say whether the Alfa boots you are testing are all brand new models, or are some older models with the new sole system? Just asking because I had a super hard time finding boots that fit me just right (Alfa Skarvet) so would be stoked if they are keeping the same last shape and offering different options for soles/bindings.
Cheers, Leo

[Åsnes1922]

Excited to check these out when the hit the stores, especially seeing that the bindings are adaptable for different types of skiing.

@Åsnes1922, I guess you are sworn to secrecy at the moment, but are you able to say whether the Alfa boots you are testing are all brand new models, or are some older models with the new sole system? Just asking because I had a super hard time finding boots that fit me just right (Alfa Skarvet) so would be stoked if they are keeping the same last shape and offering different options for soles/bindings.
Cheers, Leo

Yes, I'm somewhat sworn to some paperwork. But most of the boot models from both Alfa and Alpina will be based on former bestsellers. The lighter and cheaper models from Alfa is somewhat close to the Skarvet and Guard Advance boots. As well as a lighter model. The higher-end model will be the one they have announced in their marketing material, specifically designed for the binding and with a stiffer and more rigid construction. I'm sure you will find a good fit for you if the Skarvet boot fits you well!

From what I have seen, and the information we have provided Alpina, they will probably do something similar, with one model based on the Alaska boots and with a lighter and cheaper option as well as a stiffer and more specific model developed for the Xplore system.

But I do not know for sure what the end-product will be, even though I have my inside information and suspections, that I cannot share with you.

Either way, the quality of the sole will be ensured in terms of quality, as Rottefella are the ones producing the different soles. And I can ensure you that the soles on all the boots will be really good either way.

[Leo Tasker]

Tusen Takk Christer! I'm super happy with my setup at the moment, but the lure of the shiny and new is strong...

[turnfarmer]

Thanks for update. It looks like I prejudged the system, It seems the white plate gives a total free heel option. Maybe not as seamless as I would have liked but at least it is there!

[turnfarmer]

Crister,

Please Please influence Alpine to bring back the BC-2000 for this system!

[Johnny]

All the info about the new Alfa XPLORE boots right here:
http://telemarktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3564

Rottefella, Asnes and Alfa, the holy trinity of XCD!